How the adjustments are applied to files

[Joffieb]

Is anyone able to explain how the WiiM's deal with adjustments in the digital domain (volume, room correction, EQ)? That is, do they leave the original file in tact and send it to the DAC with a sort of xml or sidecar file attached with instructions of how to adjust the original file or does it decode the original and recompile it with the adjustments?
I'm still trying to get my head around how a crazy money streamer can be better than a WiiM in a digital only scenario especially where the external DAC re-clocks the signal (like a Chord would) or with an external clock. If the WiiM is messing with the original data when applying adjustments then the argument for a mad money alternative that does that better may make sense but still leaves the WiiM as good as any when no adjustments are applied.

 

[HansD-NL]

It's not a (complete) file that is read and processed by a DAC/DSP. It's a stream of data.

 

[hgo58]

Is anyone able to explain how the WiiM's deal with adjustments in the digital domain (volume, room correction, EQ)? That is, do they leave the original file in tact and send it to the DAC with a sort of xml or sidecar file attached with instructions of how to adjust the original file or does it decode the original and recompile it with the adjustments?
I'm still trying to get my head around how a crazy money streamer can be better than a WiiM in a digital only scenario especially where the external DAC re-clocks the signal (like a Chord would) or with an external clock. If the WiiM is messing with the original data when applying adjustments then the argument for a mad money alternative that does that better may make sense but still leaves the WiiM as good as any when no adjustments are applied.

The short explanation is that the WiiM reads the input (file or other data from the network) as a digital source and converts it to a stream of sample values representing the audio signal. This stream of data is manipulated for volume, EQ, etc. (called DSP) and then forwarded to an output. The manipulation is done primarily by the CPU (WiiM software). The output can be one of the digital outputs (optical, coax or USB) or the DAC circuit. The DAC converts the digital stream to an analog signal (and that is all it do).

 

[Burnside]

As stated in the Facebook group(s):

WiiM streamers have been shown to be bit perfect i.e. they don’t make any /unwanted/ changes to the audio stream delivered to them.

However, if you choose to have any changes (whether that be EQ, room correction, volume etc) the streamer will apply those changes via its DSP and then either deliver that amended PCM audio stream out over its digital outputs or send it to its internal DAC for analogue output.

I really don’t see that process as different in any major manner to what any other streamer would do irrespective of price, although you might have an argument as to how well one streamer does that over another.